ambitious entrepreneurship in scotland -...

Ambitious Entrepreneurship in Scotland

CONTENTS3/ This is Scotland

4/ A Focus on Impactful Entrepreneurship

5/ Scotland’s Key Sectors

6/ Scotland’s Seven Cities

8/ Scotland’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

11/ Scotland Can Do

12/ Early Stage Entrepreneurial Support

16/ Scotland’s Two Economic Development Agencies

17/ HIE and SE: How We Help

18/ Highlands and Islands Enterprise

21/ HIE: Who We Work With

22/ Support from HIE

24/ HIE Support for Entrepreneurs and Businesses

26/ Scottish Enterprise

29/ SE: Who We Work With

30/ Support from SE

32/ SE Support for Entrepreneurs and Businesses

34/ Growing Businesses in ScotlandMIME Technologies / Carbon Dynamic / Bird.i / ACT Blade

36/ Working in PartnershipSIB / SDI / TalentScotland / GlobalScot

38/ HIE Contact

40/ SE Contact

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Scotland has an impressive history of entrepreneurship and innovation.

Scotland has produced world famous technological inventions such as radar, tarmac, the bicycle, the steam engine, the telephone, the TV, golf, penicillin, logarithms and modern economics.

Today, not only are we a land of success in innovation and in the sectors of energy, tourism and food and drink but we have strengths in emerging sectors such as technology, space and life sciences.

Scotland has seven high growth cities that are home to world renowned universities and a diverse talent base and is a great place to study, work, live and invest.

Scotland has a welcoming personality and an open, forward thinking mindset which celebrates ambition, diversity and innovation. We have:

• Availability of highly skilled talent

• A strong structure of support for business growth

• A focus on impactful entrepreneurship

• A collective desire to build a vibrant entrepreneurial community

• A lively calendar of inspiring creative and entrepreneurial events

Scotland also has a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem and is ambitious for entrepreneurship. Scotland is now.

THIS IS SCOTLAND

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A FOCUS ON IMPACTFUL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Scotland is an entrepreneurial destination with a difference.

The difference being that we are a supporter of values based impactful entrepreneurship and not somewhere that is just chasing the next billion pound company valuation.

Scotland has the ambition to build a world-leading entrepreneurial nation, a place where sustainable growth and innovation deliver benefits to all of society.

Scotland’s ecosystem is recognised as one of the best in the world and as a small country, we believe we have the opportunity to pilot a new model – a model for the new economy that is a virtuous economy bringing benefits for all.

We will achieve this by:

• Championing and supporting impactful, values based entrepreneurship with purpose

• Delivering and supporting initiatives focused on the development, attraction and retention of a diverse mix of ambitious, impact focused entrepreneurs in Scotland

• Through the development of a supportive, well connected, inclusive ecosystem in Scotland which provides a world class entrepreneurial hub focused on purpose and values as well as economic growth, from which ambitious entrepreneurs can grow and scale up their businesses

We are co-creating a movement to gather the people who can help us bring this model to life, accelerate system change and deliver improved economic, environmental and social value.

Scotland hosts an annual CAN DO Festival that celebrates Scotland’s progress and explores the best models to accelerate system change and deliver improved economic, environmental and social value, bringing the CAN DO vision to life.

CAN DO Fest is a programme of events and activities that celebrate Scotland as spearheading a transition into an economy where diversity, innovation and purpose deliver sustainable inclusive economic growth.

The focal point of the festival activity is a cluster of main events taking place during April and May plus feeder events throughout the rest of the calendar year, all under the “CAN DO” banner.

Key events include Engage Invest Exploit (EIE), the Entrepreneurial Scotland Annual Conference, Impact Summit, TEDx Glasgow and a series of workshops and masterclasses delivered by Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

CAN DO Fest and its autumn sister festival, VentureFest Scotland, represent focal points for driving Scotland’s ambition to be a world leading entrepreneurial and innovative society.

The Can Do Festival invites enterprising citizens, businesses and organisations from across the world to join with the Scottish entrepreneurial ecosystem, to share learning and best practice and make the vision of a new impactful economy a reality.

Find out more at www.cando.scot.

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SCOTLAND’S KEY SECTORS

Energy

Oil and Gas

Subsea and Decommissioning

Onshore Renewables

Offshore Wind

Marine Energy

Energy Efficiency & Low Carbon

Oil and Gas Technology

Life Sciences

Biotech

MedTech

Pharma

Marine Bioscience

Digital Health

Medical Technologies

Animal Health and Aquaculture

Marine Biotechnology

Technology & Advanced Engineering

Software Development

Space

Informatics

Robotics & Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Advanced Engineering

Sensors

Communications Technology Gaming

Virtual Reality (VR) & Augmented Reality (AR)

Creative Design

Fin Tech

Creative Industries

Music

Screen & Broadcast

Publishing

Textiles

Craft

Design

Finance & Business Services

FinTech

Business Process Outsourcing

Digital Infrastructure

Remote Working

Testbed for New Technologies

Skills Development

Food & Drink

Bakery

Dairy

Brewing & Distilling

Seafood

Meat

Premium Grocery

Tourism

Nature

Heritage & Activities

Destinations

Towns & Cities

Events & Festivals

Business Tourism

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SCOTLAND’S SEVEN CITIESGlasgow Key Sectors – Space, Creative Design, Big Data, Software Development, Life Sciences

Population – 615,070

Entrepreneurial Hubs – Tontine Building, The Hub, Creative Clyde, Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, The Whisky Bond, The Tramway, RookieOven, Wasps Studios, RBS Entrepreneur Accelerator

Edinburgh Key Sectors – Informatics, Robotics & AI, Creative Design, FinTech, Software Development, Life Sciences, Blockchain, BioTech


Entrepreneurial Hubs – CodeBase, Informatics Forum, Quartermile, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Seed Haus, Techcube, The Biscuit Factory, Roslin Innovation Centre, The Data Lab, The Bayes Centre, RBS Entrepreneur Accelerator

Aberdeen Key Sectors – Oil & Gas Technology, Energy, Digital, Life Sciences


Entrepreneurial Hubs – Elevator Aberdeen Accelerator, Oil & Gas Innovation Centre, TechX Accelerator, Oil & Gas Technology Centre

Dundee Key Sectors – Gaming, Design, Life Sciences


Entrepreneurial Hubs – The V&A Museum of Design, Creative Dundee, University of Dundee Centre of Entrepreneurship, Wasps Studios, Elevator Dundee Accelerator, Acorn Enterprise

Stirling Key Sectors – Creative & Digital, Tourism


Entrepreneurial Hubs – Stirling Court Management Centre, CodeBase Stirling

Inverness Key Sectors – Life Sciences, Food & Drink, Tourism, Energy


Entrepreneurial Hubs – Inverness Campus UHI, Impact Hub Inverness, Centre for Health Science, Northern Innovation Hub, HIE Hello Digital

Perth Key Sectors – Tourism, Food & Drink, Engineering, Enhanced Manufacturing, Low Carbon Technologies


Entrepreneurial Hubs – The Cultural Quarter, Creative Exchange Perth, Famous Grouse Ideas Centre, Elevator Perth Creative Accelerator

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Stirling Castle, Stirling

SCOTLAND’S ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM

Scotland. A world class entrepreneurial hub.

Scotland has a fantastically supportive ecosystem in which public, private and third sector organisations collaborate to provide spin outs, start ups and scale ups with world class support.

Scotland supports both home grown talent and international talent attracted here by the opportunities and quality of life in this beautiful country and the well connected ecosystem. We stimulate a culture of innovation and a growth mindset amongst the diverse mix of entrepreneurs in Scotland, encouraging them to be the best that they can be.

There are increasing numbers of Incubators, Accelerators and Co-working Spaces across the country which provide dynamic and inspiring environments for entrepreneurs to spark ideas, find co-founders and talented team members and challenge themselves to increase ambition and success.

There is a network of eight Innovation Centres across Scotland that have been designed by industry for industry-led collaborations. The Innovation Centres blend academic creativity and invention with industrial insights and each centre offers specialist knowledge in a particular sector to help companies address specific market and sub-sector opportunities.

There is a wide range of Entrepreneurial Support Organisations supporting entrepreneurs from Shetland to The Borders that offer advice, competitions, funding, mentors and much more to help make your entrepreneurial vision a reality.

There are a number of Entrepreneurial Networking Organisations that offer a lively calendar of events, conferences and programmes throughout the year to spark inspiration, new learning and connections.

Scotland has such a vibrant ecosystem because both public, private and third sector organisations work together collaboratively with the entrepreneurial community to make the biggest collective impact and social change.

Search Scotland’s ecosystem to see the range of support available and download the Scottish Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Guide.

Find out more at www.cando.scot/ecosystem.

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THE SCOTTISH ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM

Incubators

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SMEs in Scotland (2016)348K

Investors / Angel Networks*21

Investment raised by SMEs in Scotland (2016)

£336M

Innovation Centres 08

Accelerators

19

Unicorns 03

Networking Organisations

33

Co-working spaces

31

Entrepreneurial Support Organisations

52

*who are members of LINC Scotland

Universities19

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HIE An Lochran, Inverness Campus. Photo Credit: Tim Winterburn/HIE

The Scotland CAN DO Framework is a vision that was set out by the Scottish Government - an ambition for becoming a world leading entrepreneurial and innovative nation – a CAN DO place for business.

The Scotland CAN DO ambition is focused on:

• Cultivating an increase in entrepreneurship and innovation in Scotland resulting in new businesses being formed and additional products and services being developed

• Supporting people from all walks of life with the ambition and skills to create, lead and grow successful businesses

• Harnessing the strength of an education system with entrepreneurship and innovation at its core, seizing the opportunities presented by Curriculum for Excellence, college reform and the world leading strength of our universities

• Commercialising Scotland’s knowledge and intellectual capital, resulting in greatly increased collaboration between businesses and the academic sector

• Building Scotland’s share of global markets as our business leaders grow in confidence and expand their horizons internationally

SCOTLAND CAN DOScotland is unique as a nation in that the CAN DO Framework is a vision that organisations - both public, private and third sector - who offer support for entrepreneurs and growing businesses across Scotland have all signed up to. We are all working together in collaboration towards the same goal to provide the best, coordinated and amplified support that we can to entrepreneurially minded people who are ambitious to start, grow and scale up businesses from Scotland.

A stakeholder group called the CAN DO Ecosystem Forum has been formed to deliver on the CAN DO vision.

The Forum is made up by members of the ecosystem and is stakeholder driven for collective impact. There are around 60 members (and growing) and the mission of this group is to practically deliver on the CAN DO agenda and make sure its ethos is woven into the day to day activities that organisations providing entrepreneurial support in Scotland are all carrying out.

Find out more at www.cando.scot.

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Support for entrepreneurial individuals and businesses is available across Scotland.

Idea StageIndividuals who have a business idea but have not yet developed a business plan or incorporated a company

EARLY STAGE ENTREPRENEURIAL SUPPORT

Social EnterprisesOrganisations or businesses with a focus on purpose, impact and providing social good

Start UpsStart up companies who have growth and job creation potential

Pre-Scale CompaniesCompanies in the early stages of growth and development

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EARLY STAGE ENTREPRENEURIAL SUPPORT

Support is available for entrepreneurial individuals and businesses all across Scotland.

For anyone from any background with a view of being enterprising, whether someone is at the idea stage, is in the early stage of start up or growth or perhaps has a social enterprise or business with a social focus, they can gain excellent advice from their Local Advisory Supports. These include their local Business Gateway office and organisation such as Firstport or Social Enterprise Scotland who provide specialist support for socially focused businesses.

Advice is available for how to get started, how to get your business basics in order then how to develop a plan for growth no matter what your ambition.

Early Stage Entrepreneurial Support Business Gateway offer a fantastic range of workshops, events and training programmes plus a lot of advice and information is available online through their website at www.bgateway.com. The Business Gateway services are delivered slightly differently in each geographic or local authority area but the resources you can access and support offered is broadly the same across the board.

Firstport and Social Enterprise Scotland offer invaluable advice, support and access to networks for socially focused organisations. Scotland has been at the forefront of the drive to create a socially aware society and impactful entrepreneurship for the last two decades so have credible and experienced support organisations in this space.

With the recent surge in the drive towards both social enterprises and mainstream businesses being more aware of their purpose and wider impact, accessible expertise is widely available to help them.

Growth Pipeline As a company grows and begins to think about scaling up, they may access more and more wrap around support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) or Scottish Enterprise (SE) dependant on their geographical location, through the Growth Pipeline service via their Business Gateway advisor.

Support that can be accessed includes innovation support, financial readiness support, product, business or workplace innovation support, finding help to move into international markets and grant funding opportunities.

Support from HIE and SE Sometimes that may be the extent of a company’s engagement with HIE or SE. Other times, if relevant the company may begin fully engaging with HIE or SE and accessing the specialist support for ambitious or high growth entrepreneurs and businesses outlined in the following pages.

There are many other support and sectorally focused organisations in Scotland who also offer advice, connections and support and opportunities for early stage business growth, many of which can be found at www.cando.scot/ecosystem.

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ENTREPRENEURIAL SUPPORT IN SCOTLAND

Local Advisory Supports

Support from business gateway:

• Getting started• Developing a

business plan• Developing a

marketing plan

• Sales and marketing• Data protection

awareness• Digital healthcheck• Cyber resilience

• Managing people and HR• Managing finances• Building a network• Export advice

Growth Pipeline

Support from SE and HIE open to all businesses:

• Innovation specialist service

• Financial readiness• Funding opportunities

• Workplace innovation• Internationalisation

Support• Intellectual assets

• Sustainability• Digital transformation• Scottish Manufacturing

Advisory Service (SMAS)

HIE and

Scottish Enterprise

Dedicated support from SE and HIE includes:

• High growth spinout support

• RSE Enterprise Fellowships

• Scotland Can Do Scale Summer School

• Unlocking Ambition

• Innovation support service• Start2Scale service• Internationalisation support• Workplace

innovation support• SIB Financial

Readiness Support

• Bespoke account management

• Entrepreneurial skills• Leadership• Access to investment

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Wider Ecosystem

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Robotical team, Edinburgh

Scotland has two economic development agencies who work in partnership and provide support for ambitious and growth businesses.

HIE & SE: HOW WE HELP

InternationalisationTrade

Investment

International connectivity

Global outlook, influence and networks

InnovationBusiness innovation and

entrepreneurship

Workplace innovation and digital

Commercialisation of research and development

Public services

InvestmentEducation, skills and health

Infrastructure and digital

Business investment

Natural capital, resource efficiency and low carbon

Communities, local assets and housing

InclusivenessFair work

Business pledge

Promoting equality and tackling inequality

Place and regional cohesion

Support for Entrepreneurs

and Businesses

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HIGHLAND AND ISLANDS ENTERPRISEHighlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is the Scottish Government’s economic and community development agency for the north and west of Scotland with a purpose to generate sustainable economic growth across the Highlands and Islands.

HIE is an ambitious organisation with a unique remit that integrates economic and community development, working across a diverse region which extends from Shetland to Argyll, and from the Outer Hebrides to Moray, covering more than half of Scotland’s land mass.

HIE’s vision is for the Highlands and Islands of Scotland to be a highly successful and competitive region in which increasing numbers of people choose to live, work, study and invest.

For businesses: HIE supports businesses and social enterprises to shape and realise their growth aspirations. Stimulating growth and fostering ambition with the businesses and social enterprises that operate across the region lies at the heart of HIE’s remit. Through an account management approach, HIE provides bespoke solutions and a wide range of support, including access to national and international services and expertise.

HIE focuses its efforts on organisations that aspire to grow and develop, helping to improve their competitiveness and productivity, leading to an increase in their turnover, the size of their workforce, their appetite for innovation, research and development, and increasing activity in international markets.

For communities: The Highlands and Islands is recognised as a region where communities take responsibility for shaping their future and where social enterprise as a sector is innovative, strong and growing. Community asset ownership and service delivery are well established and supported, and unique cultural assets including Gaelic, play a significant role. HIE has a unique remit for strengthening communities and fragile areas with a threefold approach. By investing in building community capacity and confidence; by empowering communities to acquire, manage and exploit community assets for community benefit and by enabling sustainable growth in the social economy through strong social enterprises.

HIE work in partnership with sister organisation Scottish Enterprise who cover the central belt and south of Scotland.

HIE’s investment arm, the Scottish Investment Bank, works with both Scottish SMEs and UK and international investors.

HIE’s international arm, Scottish Development International, encourages inward investment and helps Scottish-based companies grow internationally.

HIE works in partnership with the Scottish entrepreneurial ecosystem and entrepreneurial community to make Scotland a world leading entrepreneurial and innovative nation – a CAN DO place for business.

www.hie.co.uk

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The European Marine Science Park, Dunstaffnage, near Oban in Argyll. Picture Credit : Scotphoto / HIE

HIE: WHO WE WORK WITHHIE works with businesses, social enterprises and communities.

BusinessesAmbitious businesses with

growth potential

Social EnterprisesInnovative, ambitious

businesses or organisations with purpose and a

social impact

CommunitiesCommunities in remote, rural and fragile areas

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SUPPORT FROM HIE

Seed & Development

• Accelerators• Entrepreneurial skills• Innovation support• Digital support• Early stage internationalisation• Access to investment

High Growth Starts Ups and Early Stage

• Account management for bespoke plan for growth

• Access to specialist advice• Entrepreneurial Academy skills

workshops• Accelerated new product or process

development• Innovation Support• Digital support• Internationalisation• Access to investment

Establishment & Growth


• Access to specialist advice• Entrepreneurial masterclasses and executive

education• Accelerated new product or process

development• Innovation support• Access to MIT’s Industrial Liaison Programme• International conferences and events• Internationalisation• Leadership for growth• Access to investment

BusinessesAmbitious businesses with growth potential

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Social EnterprisesInnovative, ambitious social

enterprises

CommunitiesCommunities in remote, rural and fragile areas


• Entrepreneurial Academy skills workshops

• Accelerated new product or Process Development Programme

• Entrepreneurial masterclasses and executive education

• International conferences and events

• Innovation Support• Leadership Programme

Scaling


• Access to specialist advice• Entrepreneurial masterclasses and

executive education• SCALE Summer School• Innovation support• Access to MIT’s Industrial Liaison

Programme• International conferences and events• High Impact Leaders training• Internationalisation• Access to investment

SUPPORT FROM HIE

• Community asset ownership and service delivery support

• Investment in building community capacity and confidence

• Empowering communities to acquire, manage and exploit community assets for community benefit

• Enabling sustainable growth through social enterprise support

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Bespoke Account Management

Entrepreneurial Skills Leadership

Scotland Can Do Scale Summer School Access to Investment Internationalisation

Support for Entrepreneurs and

Businesses

HIE SUPPORT FOR ENTREPRENEURS AND BUSINESSES

Unlocking Ambition Innovation Support

24

MIME Technologies team, Inverness

SCOTTISH ENTERPRISEScottish Enterprise is one of Scotland’s economic development agencies and a non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government who cover the central belt and south of Scotland.

SE work with partners in the public and private sectors to identify and exploit the best opportunities to deliver a significant, lasting effect on the Scottish economy.

SE want to make Scotland a world class entrepreneurial hub and maximise the number of high growth entrepreneurs scaling up businesses in Scotland.

For entrepreneurs: SE connect you to the best support for your stage of growth, from Scottish Enterprise and other partners.

For businesses: SE support innovative and high growth companies with global ambitions to scale up their growth.

For investors: SE connect you to a range of exciting, high growth companies in Scotland who are seeking early stage or follow on funding for start-up or scale up.

For ecosystem partners: SE work alongside you to enable Scotland to provide world class support to start up and scale up entrepreneurs.

SE work in partnership with our sister organisation Highlands and Islands Enterprise who cover the north, west and islands of Scotland.

SE’s investment arm, the Scottish Investment Bank, works with both Scottish SMEs and UK and international investors.

SE’s international arm, Scottish Development International, encourages inward investment and helps Scottish-based companies grow internationally.

TalentScotland deliver SE’s remit for attracting and retaining talent in Scotland. Promoting Scotland as an outstanding place to live and work, information is provided to individuals who would like to move to Scotland and become part of the thriving entrepreneurial hub and to employers who wish to promote skilled professional job opportunities to international talent.

The GlobalScot network is also part of Scottish Enterprise and offers Scottish start up, early stage and growing entrepreneurs and leaders the opportunity to tap into a global network of highly successful entrepreneurs, business leaders and exemplars in their field to access guidance, knowledge insight, inspiration and expertise. The GlobalScot diaspora is a network of around 600 individuals of Scottish heritage or with an interest in Scotland, offering offer support in over 50 countries. Whether you need assistance in Angola or Australia, New Zealand or Nigeria, the US or United Arab Emirates, we can connect you with people who can help you grow your business on a global scale.

SE work in partnership with the Scottish entrepreneurial ecosystem and entrepreneurial community to make Scotland a world leading entrepreneurial and innovative nation – a CAN DO place for business.

www.scottish-enterprise.com

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Pacific Quay, Glasgow

SE: WHO WE WORK WITHSE work with invidial business leaders and their teams to develop growth

businesses that will have an impact in Scotland and on the Scottish economy.

High Growth Start UpsStart up companies with the potential to reach £5M sales

in 5 years

High Growth Spin OutsCompanies formed to

commercialise IP owned by a university

Scale UpsInnovative, ambitious and fast growing companies aiming for £5M-£10M sales within 7 years

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SUPPORT FROM SE

HIGH GROWTH START UPSStart up companies with the potential to scale to £5M+ sales and/or likely to require significant external investment to accelerate this journey

• Developing and launching innovative and disruptive new products

• Entrepreneurial skills development• Developing a business model and plan• Route to market, sales and marketing plans• Seeking external investment and other forms

of funding• Building the management and

non-executive teams• Facilitating advisory and professional networks

HIGH GROWTH SPIN OUTSCompanies formed to commercialise IP owned by a university

• Commercialisation of research and innovation• Market assessment• IP protection• Building a commercial team• Company formation

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SCALE UPSInnovative, ambitious and fast growing companies (20%+ pa) looking to achieve £5M-£10M+ turnover within 7 years

• Leadership, strategy, sales and product development• Talent attraction• Development of international and investor networks• Embedding innovation as a driver of sustainable growth• 1:1 in-house company training• Practitioner led group executive education• Peer to peer learning and ambition raising

LARGE SCALE UPSCurrently achieving £10M+ turnover and/or with over 50 employees, looking to achieve 60%+ turnover growth over the next 3 years with a £50M-£100M+ level of ambition

• Access to world class executive education• Scaling masterclasses and CEO forums providing peer to peer

networking opportunities• Customised support in key areas to help scaling ambitions in

- International strategy development and implementation- Building the top team and leadership development- Support to develop and embed new approaches to Innovation and R&D- Raising investment to achieve growth- Reviewing and developing appropriate business models to achieve

growth including mergers and acquisitions

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High Growth Spinout Support

RSE Enterprise Fellowships

Scotland Can Do Scale Summer School

Workplace Innovation Support

Support for Entrepreneurs and

Businesses

SE SUPPORT FOR ENTREPRENEURS AND BUSINESSES

SIB Financial Readiness Support Unlocking Ambition

Start2Scale Service Innovation Support Service

Internationalisation Support

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TouchBionics, Livingston

MIME TechnologiesMIME Technologies develop innovative mobile software solutions to support remote professional medical care, optimising care and saving lives.

MIME was established at the end of co-founder Dr Alasdair Mort’s PhD studies at the University of Aberdeen’s Centre for Rural Health in Inverness and was the first project of the £12m dot.rural Digital Economy Hub. After taking part on a RSE Enterprise Fellowship in 2015, MIME entered the Converge Challenge in 2015 and 2016, becoming a top ten finalist both years. Benefitting from support through Highlands and Islands Enterprise account management service, MIME won a Scottish EDGE Wildcard award in June 2016, pitched at EIE 17, Scotland’s premier tech investment showcase then went on to win £80,000 as part of Scottish EDGE Round 10. MIME were awarded a SMART:SCOTLAND Feasibility Award for vital R&D, and won the SCDI Award for excellence in research and innovation in 2017.

The company has recently appointed its first Chairman and is currently raising a first round of equity investment to execute a plan targeting the aviation market.

HIE has supported and guided us at every stage of our journey. We’ve received assistance from experts

to develop our strategy, support to train and develop our staff and access to fantastic facilities at the Centre for Health Science in Inverness.

Dr Alasdair Mort, CEO, MIME Technologies

GROWING BUSINESSES IN SCOTLAND

Carbon DynamicCarbon Dynamic are disrupting the construction industry by designing and manufacturing low energy, modular timber buildings and their innovative ‘fit house’ concept incorporates flexible internal walls and the ability to install remote health sensors.

Matt Stevenson, MD of Carbon Dynamic, boosted the early stage growth of his company by winning a Scottish EDGE award and tapping into the Saltire Fellowship programme to drive forward research into new market opportunities. Accessing a range of support from early investment and advice on IP to entrepreneurial skills masterclasses from Highlands and Islands Enterprise’s account management service, Matt participated on MIT’s Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP) in Boston along with Albyn Housing, a social enterprise also from the Highland region. Being at MIT sparked an innovative collaboration idea and a learning journey back to MIT through HIE’s membership of MIT’s Industrial Liaison Program cemented the collaboration opportunity and led to a £1 million contract for developing innovative affordable housing.

A manufacturing review by SMAS helped the company develop a sustainable business with the strength for further expansion. With a £1.2 Innovate UK grant to develop an integrated CAD software system with partners, Carbon Dynamic are actively engaged with SDI in pursuing their designs on international growth.

We have received fantastic support from HIE that has enabled us to accelerate our growth and quadruple our

turnover and staff.

Matt Stevenson, Managing Director, Carbon Dynamic

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GROWING BUSINESSES IN SCOTLAND

Bird.iSpace entrepreneur Corentin Guillo landed in Glasgow in 2014, drawn by the NASA supported space incubator and world-class university expertise.

Corentin’s highly innovative ideas about bringing earth observational satellite images to the mass market secured him a SMART: SCOTLAND Award for development. Since then, he accessed intensive support from Scottish Enterprise and the entrepreneurial skills development training Corentin received from SE included sponsored participation on the MIT Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP) in Boston in January 2016.

Engaging with SDI has fuelled their global ambition. Loaded with a team of highly skilled software and data scientists from Scottish universities and backed up by a successful series A fund raise and investment from Scottish Investment Bank in 2017, the company is set for lift off for rapid growth. An integral part of Scotland’ growing space cluster, Bird.i is leading the way for startups in the space sector, successfully launching from Scotland.

Scottish Enterprise’s High Growth Ventures support is like a complete entrepreneurial toolbox. For Bird.i,

we’ve had world class support from advisors who have been able to tailor support and advice according to the progress of the business, and that really helped us to grow very quickly.

Corentin Guillo, CEO Bird.i

ACT BladeWith a background in aeronautical engineering, Sabrina Malpede set up ACT Blade to revolutionise the global wind energy market.

ACT Blade is developing game changing technology that will deliver the lightest and most controllable wind turbine blades in the market. The support the company has received from Scottish Enterprise’s and from being awarded a SMART: SCOTLAND Award is making the difference to help Sabrina secure grant funding and gain skills, advice and the networks she needs to create a transformational company.

With experience gained from her first start up, SMAR Azure and from the SE funded Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) Fellowship Programme, Sabrina’s leadership and experience has attracted a close-knit team of innovators and energy experts to the company, building one of the most dynamic start ups in the Scottish Energy sector.

Based in Edinburgh, ACT Blade is now testing its prototypes to take its technology to international markets in 2019. Creating opportunities for new graduates and experienced engineers alike, ACT Blade is putting Edinburgh on the map for the next generation of wind turbine technology.

With the support across the team at Scottish Enterprise, ACT Blade is set to transform wind turbine

blade technology and to position Scotland as a leading player in the global supply chain.

Sabrina Malpede, CEO ACT Blade

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WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP

Scottish Investment Bank The Scottish Investment Bank (SIB) operates across Scotland in partnership with Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Island Enterprise.

Securing growth capital is critical to the success of Scottish businesses and SIB aims to increase the supply of finance, and to help more Scottish SMEs with growth and export potential to access the finance they need to succeed.

SIB works with both Scottish SMEs and UK and international investors to increase awareness of investment opportunities in Scotland.

SIB manages a suite of co-investment funds including the Scottish Co-Investment Fund and the Scottish Venture Fund, and the Renewable Energy Investment Fund. SIB is also an investor in Epidarex Capital’s life sciences fund and is a participant in the Scottish European Growth Co-Investment Programme alongside the European Investment Fund. SIB also provides a team of Financial Readiness specialists to help companies prepare for new investment and access appropriate finance.

@scotent www.scottish-enterprise.com/SIB

Scottish Development International Scottish Development International (SDI) delivers the internationalisation ambition of the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, building Scotland’s international reputation and raising its profile on the international stage.

SDI provides support to Scottish companies to increase international trade by accessing international markets, partners and opportunities to boost export sales.

With a key focus on attracting inward investment, SDI also works to ensure Scotland has a competitive business environment, working closely with companies setting up in Scotland to ensure they are embedded and connected, and have the information and support they need to develop supplier links, flourish and expand.

@ScotDevInt www.sdi.co.uk

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WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP

Talent Scotland TalentScotland is an international talent attraction project run by Scottish Enterprise, in collaboration with Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Development International.

TalentScotland showcases Scotland as an outstanding place to live, work and invest and the website provides practical information on moving to and the lifestyle in Scotland, career opportunities, as well as setting up a business in Scotland.

TalentScotland also provides information and support on business immigration and visas for entrepreneurs and businesses considering moving to Scotland to become part of the thriving entrepreneurial hub.

@TalentScotlandwww.talentscotland.com

GlobalScot Scots are recognised the world over for their business acumen, their entrepreneurial spirit and their drive to succeed. Ambition, strong leadership and hunger for success are just some of the qualities which have helped Scottish businessmen and women occupy senior positions in world leading companies and organisations.

Drawing its strength from Scots’ global reputation for business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit, GlobalScot helps Scottish business leaders in some of the world’s biggest companies and organisations to pass on their knowledge and insights.

The GlobalScot network boasts the brightest business brains in growth sectors such as oil & gas, life sciences, food & drink, renewables, the creative industries, financial services and tourism. GlobalScots are Scots or those with a passion for Scotland who are experienced professionals who have built their reputations in the highest echelons of the international marketplace.

Since 2001, Scottish Enterprise’s GlobalScot initiative has tapped into this international network of business excellence, assisting hundreds of new and growing companies aiming to make their mark on the international marketplace. Our unique service provides the next generation of Scottish business success stories with access to a powerful and influential group of experts who are keen to pass on their knowledge and expertise.

#GlobalScotwww.globalscot.com

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HIE An Lochran, Inverness Campus. Picture Credit Tim Winterburn / HIE

01463 245245

@HIEScotland

Linkedin.com/company/highlands-&-islands-enterprise

Facebook.com/highlandsandislandsenterprise

www.hie.co.uk/entrepreneurship

[email protected]

Where we are We serve ambitious businesses and communities in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland and we have offices from Lerwick to Lochgilphead, with our head office located in Inverness.

HIE CONTACT

Auchtertyre • Benbecula • Forres • Fort William • Golspie • Inverness • Kirkwall • Lerwick • Lochgilphead • Portree • Stornoway • Thurso

Outside of Scotland, through our international arm, SDI, we have 28 offices in 19 countries across the globe. We help Scottish businesses connect with the world and help businesses around the world invest in or trade with Scotland.

Australia & New Zealand – Sydney • Brazil – Rio de Janeiro • Canada – Calgary • Canada – Toronto • China – Beijing • China – Shanghai • China – Shenzen • Denmark – Copenhagan • France – Paris • Germany – Düsseldorf • Ghana – Accra • India – Delhi • India – Hyderabad • India – Mumbai • Japan – Tokyo • Malaysia – Singapore • Norway – Stavanger • Russia – Moscow • Saudi Arabia – Al Khobar • South Korea – Seoul • Taiwan – Taipei City • UAE – Dubai • UK – London • USA – Boston • USA – Chicago • USA – Houston • USA – New York • USA – San Jose

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City Centre, Edinburgh

Where we are We serve high growth entrepreneurs in the east, west, central and south of Scotland and have offices from Aberdeen to Selkirk, with our head office located in Glasgow.

0800 013 3385

@scotent

LinkedIn.com/ScottishEnterprise

Facebook.com/ScottishEnterprise

www.scottish-enterprise.com/entrepreneurs

SE CONTACT

Aberdeen • Bellshill • Clydebank • Dumfries • Dundee • Edinburgh • Glasgow – Atlantic Quay • Glasgow – Atrium Court • Paisley • Glenrothes • Kilmarnock • Selkirk • Stirling

Outside of Scotland, through our international arm, SDI, we have 28 offices in 19 countries across the globe. We help Scottish businesses connect with the world and help businesses around the world invest in or trade with Scotland.

Australia & New Zealand – Sydney • Brazil – Rio de Janeiro • Canada – Calgary • Canada – Toronto • China – Beijing • China – Shanghai • China – Shenzen • Denmark – Copenhagan • France – Paris • Germany – Düsseldorf • Ghana – Accra • India – Delhi • India – Hyderabad • India – Mumbai • Japan – Tokyo • Malaysia – Singapore • Norway – Stavanger • Russia – Moscow • Saudi Arabia – Al Khobar • South Korea – Seoul • Taiwan – Taipei City • UAE – Dubai • UK – London • USA – Boston • USA – Chicago • USA – Houston • USA – New York • USA – San Jose

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@HIEScotland

www.hie.co.uk/entrepreneurship

@scotent

www.scottish-enterprise.com/entrepreneurs

ambitious entrepreneurship in scotland -...

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